Juliette’s laugh was soft. “Oh, I had my share of deathly reactions from her. She only allowed me if Xavier was present.”
Mark nodded, his gaze coming back to me. “You’ve become her lifeline. She won’t do anything without you and will continue seeking your approval.” Then he rubbed his chin, his brow creased, his expression one of awe. “She floored me with her responses, though, and I can safely say she’s no child but a bright young woman who just needs to find her strength.”
“So, no confirmation on her age?” Juliette asked.
“Unfortunately, that’s something no one will be able to determine. As you said, Juliette, her body is still recovering from malnourishment, her mind, though.” He shook his head, once more undisguised disbelief sliding over his features. “If my guess is correct, she used books to educate herself on subjects the average person takes a schooling career coupled with college to gain. Quoting Aristotle?” He shook his head as if still trying to believe it. “And how she applied them to her experience? God, I’m amazed.”
I shared a smile with Juliette. “That’s what I found in her room.” I gestured to the large stack of books Wilkes had brought in preparation for Mark’s visit.” Even though I didn’t want her to associate with anything from that house, I figured this might help.
Mark walked over to them, pushed up his spectacles, and read the titles before looking at me. “Based on the little knowledge you provided and from experience alone, which I stand corrected, I’d say she was born in captivity. Typically, an abuser asserts power over their victims because they feel powerless. He controlled her education by allowing her to read books based on formulated history. There’s nothing here to give her any insight into the modern world. It’s why your phone and the television intrigued her, among other things.”
I’d given him a rundown of her responses to everything so far.
“Why do you think he did that?” Juliette asked.
Mark’s chuckle was more for comfort than mirth. “Who knows why these sick people do what they do, Juliette? I believe he modeled her to specifications borne out of a bad experience. He decided what she read to control her knowledge about the world outside her room. The less she knew, the better.”
“If he had her locked up, why offer her any education?” I asked.
Mark walked around the table inspecting the other titles. “I might be wrong, but these books were probably rewards for obedience. After causing harm, an abuser might promise to change. Some may be especially kind or romantic to make up for their behavior. Some reward victims with affection or gifts. This gives the victim hope that their anguish will end and that they will one day receive the love the abuser promised or probably see their suffering as a price to pay for kindness.”
I shook my head, saddened by his last words. “Who’d want to suffer that much for a little kindness?”
He sighed. “I could go into lengthy details that would make you try to understand, Xavier, my experience, however, will better guide you.” He looked at the books again. “These books are well thought out, though. While Cinderella seems to comfort her.” He rubbed the spine of the fairy-tale book. “Her word usage alone tells me she’s also studied this.” He touched a finger to the dictionary. “She’ll probably surprise you with quotes from Shakespeare and more of Aristotle once she learns to associate them with real life. Judging by some of these titles, she’ll silently watch people then share the wisdom she’ll acquire by insight alone.”
“Is it safe to say he modeled her into the perfect real-life doll?” I asked, growing more annoyed with that elusive bastard.
“Excellent choice of words. In my expert opinion, this man either had his heart broken or was a victim of abuse and decided to create someone who would do everything and anything on command. Giving him power over a lesser person.” Mark coughed to clear his throat. “You’re dealing with a crafty man, Xavier, not some simpleminded abuser. Until you can ascertain his whereabouts, I’d keep a tight rein on who she interacts with. Like a little child who loses his favorite toy, he will come looking for her and won’t stop until he finds her.”
Now that I’d heard my exact thoughts spill from an expert’s mouth, they sent a shudder down my spine.
Juliette squeezed my arm, her smile comforting, then looked at Mark. “Proposed treatment for her?”
Mark’s gaze drifted between the two of us. “Speaking as a psychologist, we can try therapy. While I can’t guarantee it will work, it might bring her out of her dissociative behavior. Speaking as a friend, only one person will break through the walls she erected. You.” He looked at me. “Her mind still lives in that green room you mentioned, Xavier. Because it was so small, she’ll only allow one person to enter. And when she does come into her own, she’ll take charge of her life with aplomb that will shock people.”
“Let’s hope,” I said with a sigh, wishing I could do more to help her.
“Her scars will heal quicker than her mind,” Mark continued. “We can’t afford to clutter it with too many people trying to delve in until she’s ready to let us in. Suppose my analysis is right about her being born in captivity. In that case, you’ll sometimes meet cheekiness and childish tantrums at others whenever she discovers something new or different. Considering her level of maturity, though, she might surprise you with some of her decisions. She’ll know exactly what she wants.”
His revelation had me cursing the bastard who robbed her of the life she deserved. “The mirrors,” I began, my mind flitting quickly back to that evening. “Do you think I should uncover them?”
“You said there were no mirrors in the green room?” He rubbed a finger over his bottom lip, his expression thoughtful. I nodded. “If you do, you run the risk of another breakdown. Judging by her vehement reaction, she seems to hate the person she sees in the mirror. That said, there’s no telling what else would trigger another attack. You’re going to have to manage that with time. How? I can’t say for sure.” He slipped his hands into his trouser pockets and rocked back and forth on his heels. “Apart from that, she’s blocking some other trauma.”
“You gained all that with just one visit. I’m impressed,” Juliette teased.
Mark laughed. “It’s why I get paid big money, darling.” As a sixty-three-year-old psychologist employed by the government to burrow into the minds of imprisoned criminals, Mark had earned a reputation for being thorough and on point. “It’s how she speaks about her mother,” he added. “Either something happened to her mother, and she’s blocked it out, fearing the repercussions or her mother is her guiding light, sort of the white angel on her shoulder. I wouldn’t be surprised if she sometimes hears her mother speak to her.”
I thought back to her calling out for her mother in her sleep. “Do I have a reason for concern regarding her mental state?”
“She’s not crazy if that’s what you’re asking,” Mark cast solemn eyes on me.
“I wasn’t. Just worried she might try killing herself again.” I dragged a hand down my face. “Almost jumping off a mountaintop which Mia, a female bodyguard on my team, had managed to prevent by calming the girl, then almost running headfirst into a broken mirror...” I trailed off, trying to fight that tightness in my chest whenever I thought of the girl’s reaction that night.
“Let me set your mind at ease, Xavier.” He grasped my arm as we began walking toward the door. “That girl is brilliant, and the level of attention you’re showing her is already phenomenal. She’s only going to flourish under your care. How you do it is up to you, but I’ll say this. The difference between you and a young man finding her is age. You’re mature, stable, experienced, and you wear your hidden demons well.”
My brow shot up, sharing a look of surprise with Juliette before she grinned. “No, Jules, Mark is not playing ‘let’s psychoanalyze my brain,’” I warned, earning a chuckle from him and a roll of her eyes.
“All I’m saying, Xavier, is just keep doing what you’re doing. You’re what she needs right now.”
